Piccio hangs tough, gains quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines - Mia Piccio survived the rash of setbacks that befell the ICTSI-Philippine bets, pulling off a pair of tough victories to crash into the quarterfinal round of the Western Women’s Golf Association National Amateur Championship in Monroe, Michigan Thursday.

Piccio, one of the five Filipinas who made it to the second round of the knockout phase, held off Minami Levonowich of Houston, 1-up, in the morning Last 32 match, then won the last hole to post a 3&1 triumph over Samantha Swineheart for a berth in the quarters.

It was a sweet victory over Swineheart, who earlier foiled Lovelynn Guioguio, 1-up, with Piccio, the US-based ICTSI scholar, taking charge at the backside of the par-73 Monroe Golf and Country Club to seal a Last 8 duel with Courtney McKim of North Carolina.

McKim edged Vaishavi Sinha, 1-up, then ripped Emma Lavy, 4-2, to advance.

But while Piccio stayed in the title hunt, Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo bowed out of the race with a pair of 2&1 losses to Shannon Lubar and Susannah Grunden in the round of 32.

Sarah Ababa booted out Angela Codian of Ohio, 3&2, in the morning clash but dropped a 3&2 loss to Hannah Collier in their Last 16 clash.

Top seed Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, meanwhile, continued to dish out top form, whipping Ali Kruse, 4&2, and Elizabeth Tong, 5&4, for a quarters duel with Lubar.

The other quarters pairings pit Hannah Collier against Amy Meier and Mary Maggio against Moriya Jutanugarn.

In consolation pool, former Phl Ladies Open champion Cyna Rodriguez advanced to the semifinal round against Breanna Patz of Indiana.